What Would Jane Austen Do?

I've been reading The Pat Conroy Cookbook , and let me tell you it is a great read. But at a later time; first: my story. I was home (in BC) for Mother's Day. I was walking to my parents' house from my in-laws' house when I saw a woman wandering around the yard in a conical straw hat and a surgical mask. She was asking if anyone wanted to buy shrimp--her husband had been out on the boat that morning, and she had a pickup bed full of ice chests. I had to weigh my sister Peetie's warnings about botulism against $5.50/lb. So I drove home with two adults, two kids, a yellow lab, 20 pounds of shrimp on ice and three buckets of iris bulbs from my mom packed into the Ford Escape. Man, I love my car. The good news is that I haven't died yet--so far it seems that the shrimp are fine. And last weekend I finally got to make pickled shrimp. Pickled shrimp are evidently a Low Country thing, but they need to be an everywhere-people-sell-shrimp-out-of-their-pickups thi...

Because I can't make fun of these people on Facebook... Angela F_____ I'll be glad when this rash is completely gone. Mitch H______ A Communist, a Muslim, and an Illegal Immigrant walk into a bar. The Bartender says..... "What are you drinking, Mr. President?" lol!!!!

but this is what I got for Mother's Day crawfish blueberry cobbler

despite my best efforts. Highlights from Becca's recent Language Arts assignment, "How to Answer Questions in Complete Sentences": 1. My hero is... My hero is my gun shooting Granddaddy. 2. Why do you like to read? I do not like to read most books that arn't commics or short books. 3. Where did you get your new pair of shoes? My ant Pete. 4. Where can I find the library? in the Hights or in the city (tall buildings). 5. What is your favorite subject in school? Easy stuff is my favorite subject. 6. Who is the most important person in your life? I have a group of people: my famly, God, and, my pet monkey[?].

How awesome would this look in your house? My Aunt Winnie sent me this: The Texas Silver-Haired Legislature (an advocacy group for old folks) is having a charity auction.  Items up for bids include a heavy duty truck bed, golf for 4 at Willie's golf course, and a feral hog hunt.  For real, check it out .  Some of the good stuff is already gone, so you better get on that javelina hunt.  Photo via Two Racks Taxidermy , under Creative Commons license.

E&B plotting the latest weather shenanigans in the gulf. When I was a kid we did this all the time, but I guess no one does it any more. It's actually kind of hard to find out the storm coordinates now [try here ]. The kids were having so much fun we looked up the charts for a few historical hurricanes, too. Today is mine and Papi's 14th wedding anniversary. This is what happens when nerds mate.

This weekend Becca got to ride around on a Rhino with cousin Reilly and pick wild blackberries. [Not pictured: bare feet.] Emmet got to shoot a pellet rifle for the first time with Grandaddy. My dad put a straight pin in the side of a cardboard box on the burn pile; Emmet hit it dead on from 35 feet. Little man's almost ready for the Royal Army -- as soon as he's not afraid to go to the bathroom by myself.

I love it when my sister Peetie calls. I just got off the phone giving her directions to Hermann hospital. She is on her way to see a friend. His story is long, but it involves a sawed-off 12-gauge with no safety, a pack of Australian Shepherds, a four-wheeler and a bottle of Crown Royal. It seems he was injured while protecting his demesne in Deweyville . Her friend (a welder) is down half a pinky, but otherwise okay.